Polishing the silver a holiday tradition….’cause I only do it once a year.

OK. So- it’s actually, mostly cheap silver-plate. (With the exception of a couple of awards that my Husband has won for work… ;) But- it still has to be cleaned. Eventually.

Funny. The silver really gets disgusting. Most things that get this disgusting at my house- are simply thrown out. (Hence, the great pile o crap for my kids to haul to the curb each week;) But the silver? I clean it every year. It’s too valuable to toss. (Even if it’s only “real” value is sentimental.)

So, once a year- I bring out the “toot” (our favorite euphemism for gaseous expulsions) scented cleaning products, soft cloths and freshly update I-Pod, and I set to work.

Buff- scrub, polish and shine. Eventually, the bronze patina gives way to the luster of the silver below. What looked ready for the trash pile- is now (mostly-as you can see- I’m not a perfectionsit about this) ready for holiday display. What was too disgusting to hold my own afternoon tea-let alone offer to company- is now ready for service.

Some days- I feel like disgusting silver. Tarnished with my own gunk- and with my responses to the gunk and offenses of others. Sometimes, everyday living seems to leave a tarnish on my life. I feel ready for the trash heap. Definitely, not ready for service, let alone display.

True- sometimes I am a mess. (no-one who reads here regularly- is surprised by this) But, does that mean I’m ready for the weekly trash pile-o’crap? Nope. There is someone who values me enough to do the hard work of cleaning up my gunk. He sees past the tarnish- and knows I am valuable. He knows just how much buffing and scrubbing I need- and is ready to help. Even if there is a stench involved;)

Not- just once a year. Not once a month or even- just once a day. But, constantly.

He says- His love is for all who accept it. A gift for the taking- for simply- believing.

Today- I’m cleaning the silver. And asking God to clean up my tarnish.

Dear Lord- I just can’t seem to keep- tarnish-free- I ask- once again- that you’d do the work of cleaning my heart- let me be a reflection- of you- I love you Lord- and thank you for the gift of your love- amen